Phonograph system



Dec. 22, 1,942. Q DU 2,305,681

PHONOGRAPH SYSTEM Filed June 12. 1940 2 Sheets-Shet 1 wry; AMPLIFIER v II I 31wentot Orvi/[ M Danni/:5

attorney Patented Dec. 22 1942 PHONOGRAPH SYSTEM Orville M. Dunning,Glen Ridge, N. J.',assignor to Thomas A. Edis on, Incorporated, WestOrange, N. J a corporation of New Jersey Application June 12, 1940,Serial No. 340,113 31 Claims. (Cl. 179-100.4)

This invention relates to phonographic systems and more particularly toimprovements in the control'of such systems. The invention is especiallyconcerned with a selective adaptation of a phonographic system forconvenient and eflicient use in any one of several difierentapplications.

Electrical phonographs of the commercial type are used for recordingvarious kinds of matter. For purposes of illustrating my invention suchmatter may be considered as comprising dictation (i. e., letters,memoranda, etc.), telephone conversations and conference proceedings.These different kinds of matter have difierent characteristics which, inthe interest of efliciency and convenience of the recording operation,require widely different modes of control of the phonograph system. Forinstance, the process of recording dictation is, typically, onecharacterized by frequent suspensions. This is because the operator ordictator normally stops recording at intervals in order to permit him todevelop the run of his thoughts. Moreover, he occasionally reproduces orlistens-back on portions of previously recorded matter for the purposeof reviving thoughts which may have escaped his mind. Each suchreproducing operation also involves a suspension in the operation of themachine. The frequency of these suspensions make it important that adictating machine be capable of being started instantaneously andstopped at will. However, in contrast to the operation of recordingdictation, the process of recording telephone conversations, and

conference proceedings, is throughout its duration a continuous one; asa result, there is here no need for the facility of instantaneousstarting. This applies even to the initiation of the recordingoperation, for usuallya few idle moments elapse at the beginning of eachoperation to permit a relatively slow starting of the machine.

It is to be further noted that a. machine for recording dictation neednot be maintained in condition for immediate operation, since theattendant of the machine, being the one supplying the dictation, cananticipate the need for the machine and prepare it for operation inadvance of such need; however, to the contrary, a machine for recordingtelephone conversations or conference proceedings must be maintained incondition for immediate operation, as whenever the machine is on call(i. e., on duty), since the time at which the machine will be calledupon cannot usually be foreseen by the attendant.

It is an object of my invention to provide an improved and eflicientarrangement of phonographic system capable of conveniently effecting anyof a plurality of functions such, for example, as those abovementioned.

It is another object of my invention to control and/or adapt aphonograph in a manner to permit the selective recordation of matters ofdifferent character, each in highly eflicient and convenient manner.

Another object is to provide an improved and simple control arrangementfor such a phonograph.

A further object of my invention is to provide a closure for themechanism of the phonograph, and means by which the phonograph is causedto attain -a condition for immediate operation as an incident ofexposing the mechanism for operation.

It will be noted that to record continuing matter without interruptionthere is required, in view of the finite recordation area of eachrecord, the use of a plural phonograph system.

It is an object of my invention to improve the control and enlarge thefield of use of such plural phonograph systems.

It is another object to provide means to enforce the proper operationand control of a plural phonographic system, and particularly to enforcethe proper control of the separate units of the system in respect oftheir recording and reproducing conditions.

' Another object is to provide, in a universal plural phonographsystem,improved means for shifting and appropriately controlling the system asto recording and reproducing conditions.

more fully appear from the following description and the appendedclaims.

In the description of my invention reference is 0 had to theaccompanying drawings, of which:

-the start and stop electromagnets.

Figure is a view showing structural details of a portion of the systemof Figure 4.

Reference being had to Figure 1 there will be seen a single phonographsystem including a phonograph proper represented as P, a control stationC, a dictation translating unit D usable either as a receiver or as amicrophone, and microphone and telephone oscillation sources M and Trespectively. The phonograph proper is of a universal character-i. e.,one adapted for both recordation and reproduction-but may be of anysuitable form such for example as that of the welleknown dictatingmachine. Such a machine comprises a mandrel I adapted for removablycarrying a cylindrical record 2; a carriage 3 bearing arecord-cooperating translating device 4 and adapted to be drivenlongitudinally of the record 2 along guide rods 5 and 6 by means of afeed screw 1; a train of gears 8 coupling the feed screw to a shaft ofthe mandrel; a motor H) for driving the shaft 9; and a clutch H(diagrammatically shown) interposed between the drive motor and themandrel shaft.

The clutch ll constitutes a means for instantaneously starting andstopping the mechanical operation of the phonograph. This clutch isconnected, as schematically indicated at H, to an armature l3 of aclutch-actuating mechanism l4 comprising a pair of start and stopelectromagnets 15 and Hi. The arrangement of this actuating mechanism ispreferably one in accordance with the teachings of Langley Patent No.1,380,486, issued June '7, 1921 and entitled Controlling device. Asappears in this patent, when a circuit is established to cause currentto flow through one of the electromagnets, say the start electromagnet,the armature is swung in the direction of that electromagnet to engagethe clutch, and then the bircuit of the start electromagnet is brokenand the circuit of the other electromagnet (i. e., the stopelectromagnet) is prepared for operation. Conversely, when the stopelectromagnet is energized, the armature is swung in the reversedirection to disengage the clutch, the circuit of the stop electromagnetis broken and the circuit of the start electromagnet is prepared forre-operation. This arrangement of clutch-actuating mechanism isdiagrammatically represented in Figure 1 wherein the armature I3 ispivoted as at ll, for alternate actuation by the start and stopelectromagnets. Provided on armature I3 is a switch pole l8 whichalternately makes connection with contacts I 9 and 20 respectively inseries with the start and stop electromagnets I15 and H5. The switchpole I8 is connected to one side of a power supply for the mechanism, asis hereinafter explained, and constitutes a current-supply conductorwhich is alternately effective as to For instance, when the armature I3is in stop position-the position occupied by the armature in Figure 1the switch pole I8 is closed with the start electromagnet |5 to rendercurrent available to the latter, thereby preparing the circuit of thiselec tromagnet for operation; and when the armature is in start positionthe switch pole I8 is closed with the stop electromagnet Hi to preparethe circuit of this electromagnet for subsequent operation.

The translating device 4 is of a form selectively placeable intoinoperative condition and respective operative conditions for recordingand reproducing. This device may, for example, be of the well-known formwhich, when conditioned for recording, is adapted to receive electricaloscillations by way of terminals 2| and to impress or out on the surfaceof the record 2 a groove modulated in accordance with thoseoscillations, and which, when conditioned for reproducing, is adapted togenerate electrical oscillations across the terminals 2| incorrespondence with such groove modulations. The means for controllingthe condition of the translating device 4 is well known in the art andis sufiiciently described in the present case by the statement that itcomprises a control lever 22 having a central or inoperative positiontheposition occupied by the control lever in the drawings wherein itrenders the device operatively free of the record and having terminalpositions forward and rearward of its central position wherein itconditions the device for recording and reproducing respectively. Thecontrol lever 22 is also commonly arranged to couple and uncouple thecarriage 3 with the feed screw 1 as the lever is moved into operativeand inoperative positions respectively The phonograph system of Figure lis shown as comprising three-oscillation sources of different type forthe purpose of illustrating a selective recordation of matters ofdifferent character in accordance with my invention. These sources,which may be separate, comprise the receivermicrophone unit D adaptedfor recording dictation, the microphone source M adapted for recordingconference proceedings or the like, and the telephone source '1 adaptedfor recording telephone conversations. The receiver-microphone ordictation unit D may well be carried within a handpiece 23 to permit theunit to be positioned before the mouth during recording and at the earduring reproducing; the microphone M and telephone T may, for example,be stationed in rooms R and R.

The outputs of these oscillation sources are selectively connected intothe system and fed into the translating device 4 by way of anoscillation amplifying channel comprising an oscillation amplifier 24.The selecting of the several oscillation sources is controlled by thecontrol station C. This station is in the form of a multiple selectorswitch comprising a plurality of switch elements controlled by a barmember 25 which is movable by means of a control lever 26 to operate theswitch. The selector switch has as many positions as there areoscillation sources to be connected into the system; in the presentinstance there are three such positions: A central position-the positionoccupied by the switch in the drawings-, and upper and lower positionsas effected by downward and upward movements of the control lever 26respectively, these three positions being hereinafter respectivelyreferred to as the dictation, telephone-recording andconference-recording positions of the control station. To releasablyhold the control station into whichever of its three positions it isplaced there is provided a detent 21 which is biased by a tension spring28 into engagement with a controlling the operating mechanism of thesystem as is hereinafter described; the two lower sets, represented as33 and 34 respectively, are

nected, within the shield member 35, by a jumper '36 to outer switchelement 34a of the set 34; the

other outer switch element 34b of this set is connected by a shieldedconductor 39 to the dictation unit D, the conductor 39 first going tothe phonograph proper by way of a cable 46 and then from the phonographproper to the handpiece 23 by way of a cable 4|. The common input to thesystem for the several oscillation sources is a shielded conductor 42leading from intermediate switch element 330 by way of cable 40 to thephonograph proper wherein the conductor makes connection to the input ofthe amplifier 24 through a switch device 43 as is hereinafter explained.

When the control station C is in dictation position, the outer switchelements 33a and 33b are each out of contact with the respectiveintermediate switch element 330, but outer switch elements 34a and 34bare now connected together by way of the respective intermediate switchelement 34c. As the control station C is however, moved intoconference-recording and telephonerecording positions the outer switchelements 330 and 3311 are respectively moved into contact with theswitch element 330 and the outer switch elements 34a and 34b in eachcase break connection from one another. Thus when the control station Cis in dictation position the dictation unit D is connected to the inputof the phonograph system by way of the conductor 39, switch set 34 andconductor 42; when the control station is in conference-recordingposition the microphone source M is connected to the input of the systemby way of conductor 36, switch members 33a and 33c and conductor 42; andwhen the control station is in telephone-recording position thetelephone source T is connected to the input of the system by way ofconductor 31, switch members 33b and 330 and conductor 42. It will beunderstood that the shields of conductors 36, 31, 39 and 42 constitute areturn feed for each conductor and that these shields may all beconnected together and to ground, as shown.

The amplifier 24 may, for example, have a fixed gain sufllciently highto meet the maximum gain requirements 01 the system and the amplifiedoscillation level of the respective sources may then be individuallycontrolled by networks respectively associated with these sources. Tothis end there is provided attenuator 44 serially connected in conductor39 leading from the dictation unit D, attenuator 45 serially connectedin conductor 36 leading from microphone source M and attenuator 46serially connected in conductor 31 leading from telephone source T, theattenuators being in each case diagrammatically shown.

The input of the amplifier is obtained from .terminal 41 to groundterminal 48 and the output II to ground terminal 52, which serves as asource for monitoring purposes; this output is connected by leads 53 toa Jack 64. In placing a universal phonographic system into recording andreproducing conditions there is involved not only a conditioning of thetranslating device 4 but also a proper connecting of the translatingdevice, of the particular oscillation source selected and of thedictation-translating unit D in relation to the input and output of theamplifier. The connecting of the system into recording and reproducingcondition involves only an appropriate switching of the leads of oneside of the oscillation transmitting circuits of the system since theleads of the other sides of these circuits are all connected to ground.This switching is efiected by the switch device 43-aforementioned.

The switch device 43 is of a shielded multiple pole double-throw typepreferably constructed in accordance with the teachings of Dann PatentNo. 2,280,143, issued April 21, 1942 and entitled Multicircuit switch";this switch device comprises poles 55, 56, 51 and 58 all insulatedlyconnected together for simultaneous operation by a tie bar 59schematically shown. When the poles are in a leftward position theyrespectively make connection with contact points 55a, 56a, 51a and 58a,and when in a rightward position with contact points 55b, 56b, 51b and58b. Pole 55 is connected by a conductor 66 to the output ter minal 53of the amplifier and its associated contact point 55a is connected by ashielded conductor 6! to the dictating unit D partially however by wayof the conductor 39 aforementioned; contact point 55b is idle. Pole 56is connected to the oscillation input conductor 42 aforementioned andits associated contact point 56b is connected by a shielded conductor 62to the input terminal 41 of the amplifier; cont-act point 56a is idle.Pole 51 is connected by shielded conductor 64 to terminal 2| of thetranslating device and its associated contact points 51a and 511) arerespectively connected to input terminal 41 and output terminal 50 ofthe amplifier by shielded conductor 65 and conductor 66 respectively.Serially included in shielded conductor 65 is an attenuator 66(diagrammatically shown) for controlling the sound output level from thedictation unit D during reproducing. Each of the shielded conductorsleading to and from the switch device have their shields connected tothe shield of the switch device, which in turn is grounded as shown.

The connections effected by the switch device 43 areas follows: When theswitch device 43 is in a leftward or "reproducing position thetranslating device 4 is connected through pole 51 and attenuator 66 tothe input of the amplifier and the output of the amplifier through pole55 to the translating unit D; and when the switch device is in arightward or recording position the input conductor 42 ,for theoscillation sources is connected through pole 56 directly to the inputof the amplifier and the output of the amplifier through pole 51 to thetranslating device 4.

The control lever 22 is connected to the guide rod 5--f0r example, as bya spline connection, not shown-and the rod 5 is in turn suitablyoperatively connected, as at 69, to the tie bar 59 of the switch device43 so as to cause this switch device to be shifted into recording andreproducing positions as an incident of conditioning the translatingdevice for recording and reproducing respectively. Thus the system iscompletely controlled as to its recording and reproducing conditions bythe control lever 22.

The amplifier 24 may well be provided with automatic volume control (orvolume limiting) action which may be rendered effective as wheneverterminals 61 (designated A. V. C.) are shorted. While automatic volumecontrol is highly desirable during recording, in that it holds therecordation level within prescribed limits, such action is ordinarilyvery undesirable during reproducing. To automatically render the A. V.C. ac ion efiective when the system is conditioned for recording,terminals 61 are connected by conductors 67' to pole 58 and itsassociated contact point 58b, the contact point touched by the pole whenthe system is conditioned for recording. Contact point 58a is, however,idle and consequently terminals 61 are opened and the A. V. C. action isrendered ineffective when the system is conditioned for reproducing.This mode of control of the A. V. C. action is in accordance with myPatent No. 2,163,671, issued June 2'7, 1939.

A preliminary in rendering operative a phonographic system involving anelectrical amplifier is the provision of a normal power supply to theamplifier. Due to the relatively long heating-up time of the usualamplifier, the dictator will have to make such provision well in advanceof the actual use of the system; and, wherever a phonographic system isemployed for recording proceedings or conversations, as in cases wherethe time of the recording cannot be foreseen by the attendant of thesystem, particularly as in the case of recording telephone messages orconversations, it is necessary that the amplifier be maintained incondition for condition wherein the tube filaments of the amplifier areat normal temperature-, but it will be understood that such conditionfor immediate operation may also be one wherein the tube filaments aremaintained at such sub-normal temperature as will permit them to comequickly to normal operating temperature upon the application of normalsupply voltage to the am- A means for so conditioning the amplifier 24,and for rendering available a power supply to the entire phonographicsystem, as an incident of exposing the system for operation, isillustrated in Figures 1 and 2;, herein it will be seen that power issupplied to the system, as from any desirable source, by way of a plugand conductors H and 12. Of these conductors, number 1! leads directlyto one side of a power input 13 of the amplifier 24 and number 12 to acontact member 1411 of an on-ofi switch 14 for the system, the othercontact member 141) of this switch being connected by way of conductorI; to the other side of the power input 13 of the amplifier. Switchmembers 14a and 14b are biased closed and are arranged so as to beopened by the closing of the cover of a cabinet which houses thephonograph mechanism. Such a cabinet may be of any desired form but ispreferably of a construction according to U. S. Patent No. 2,203,096 toL. Z. La Forest, issued June 4th, 1940, and

entitled Phonographs. A cabinet of this construction is represented inFigure 2 as 15, and includes a cover 16 openable to render thephonograph accessible for operation. The switch 14 is suitably mountedwithin this cabinet and an insulating block TI is mounted on contactmember 14b in position to project upwardly into the path of the cover.When the cover is open the switch I4 is closed, in response to itsbiasing, to connect the amplifier with its power source and to renderthe power supply available to the entire system; but as the cover isclosed its lower edge 15 impinges against the block 'I'l to open theswitch ,14 and thereby disconnect the entire system from its powersource.

As hereinbefore noted, in the recordation of dictation the operatorfrequently finds need to suspend the operation of the machine--i. e., torender the machine mechanically inoperative-to permit him to develop thecourse of his thoughts. Suspensions in the operation of the systemlikewise occur in the transcription of dictated matter for then thetranscriber needs to intermittently stop the machine to permit thetyping of the portions of matter last reproduced. The starting andstopping of the machine incidental to such suspensions need tobeparticularly in view of the frequent occurrence of thesuspensionssubstantially instantaneous in action so as to avoid loss oftime to the dictator and loss of space on the record. Consequently it iscustomary to maintain the drive motor in continuous operation, duringthe course of a dictation-recording opera-. tion, and to efiect theinstantaneous starting and stopping of the machine through the medium ofa drive clutch-such as the clutch ll controlled by the clutch-actuatingmechanism [4 aforedescribed. Particularly to facilitate the starting andstopping of the machine during a dictationrecording operation there isusually provided a hand control on the handpiece 23 for the clutch i I.There is also customarily provided a support on which the handpiece mayrest during the nonuse of the latter; this support is usually arrangedso that the motor is started and stopped as an incident of the removalof the handpiece therefrom and of the remounting of the handpiecethereon, as is hereinafter described in detail.

In recording proceedings and conversations there is no need for anysuspension in the operation of the machine since, in this case, it isimportant that the recording contain not only the substance of theconversation but also that it indicate the correct time relationshipbetween the respective conversations of the conferees. Also,

-because there is usually no need for instantaneous starting of thesystem at the initiation of the recording operation, the starting of thedrive motor itself-which usually requires but afew moments-may be reliedupon to start the mechanical operation of the system; it will however beunderstood that the clutch Ii will have to be engaged concurrently withsuch starting of the motor. Thus, while the phonograph system is on callto record matter such as proceedings and telephone conversations, thedrive means may be left in a stopped condition with a resultant savingin wear and in power consumed; but when the system is called upon torecord both the motor must be started and the clutch engaged. Inaccordance with my invention, such starting of the motor and engagementof the clutch are effected concurrently as an incident of selectivelyconnectsources M and T into the system by the control station C.

The atorementioned support for the handpiece 23 may, as is well known inthe art, comprise a hook-shaped member 33 which is pivoted as at 3| andbiased upwardly as by any suitable means.

This support controls a switch 85; diagrammatically shown, whichcomprises a contact point 850 and the clutch-actuating mechanism Itderive 2 their power, the motor being connected to conductor I la bymeans of conductor 86 and the pole -13 of the clutch-actuating mechanismIt being connected to conductor 36 by means of conductor 31. A returnconductor 83 for motor. In is con nected to line conductor 12a; returnconductors I! and 90 for the start and stop electromagnets l5 and I6respectively lead to suitable controls for the clutch-actuatingmechanism hereinafter described, and then lead onwardly to makeconnection also.with line conductor 12a. Thus, in asmuch as lineconductor 12a is connected to one side of the power source as wheneverthe system is exposed for operation, a closure of switch 85 will startthe motor In and render available power to the clutch-actuatingmechanism ll. Switch 05 is held open by the weight of the handpiece 23but when the handpiece is removed from its support, as during the courseof a dictation-recording operation, the switch is held closed by itsbiasing to place the motor iii in operation and the clutchactuatingmechanism in an operable condition- The aforementioned hand control onthe handpiece 23 for controlling the clutch-actuating mechanism Itappears as 9| and is in the form of a single-pole double-throw switch.This switch comprises a pole Sla which normally makes connection with acontact member 9"), as by a biasing of the pole, and which is movable tobreak connection with contact member 9|b and to thereafter makeconnection with a contact member Bic as an incident of imparting inwardmovement to a switch cover 92 pivoted to the handpiece at 93. Conductors89 and 90, which are connected with the start and stop electromagnets i5and it, lead from the phonograph proper by way of the cable ll andrespectively connect to contact members Bic and Sib. Pole 3Ia of thehand control is connected to a conductor 94 which leads by way of cableII to the phonograph proper and then by way of cable 40 to controlstation 0 wherein the conductor connects to outer switch element 3| b ofthe switch set 3| aforementioned. The other outer switch element 3la ofthis set is connected by a jumper 95 to the intermediate switch element300 of switch set 30 and then by way of a conductor 96 through cable 40to line conductor 12a. When the control station C is in dictationposition, the outer switch elements Ma and 3i b make contact with oneanother by way of the intermediate switch element 3 lo of this set toconnect the pole Qla or hand control ill to line conductor 12a. Thus.when the control station C is in dictation are provided with a commonconnection by way position and the handpiece 23 is removed from itssupport (to permit switch 85 to close), a manipulation of the handcontrol 3| into start position to bring pole 9la into contact withcontact member 3|c-wiil cause start electromagnet is to be energized andthe clutch-ll to be thereby engaged, and a release. oi the hand controlto stop position to bring pole 3ia into contact with contact memberSib-will cause stop electromagnet It to be energized and the clutch tobe disengaged.

When the honographic system is to be used for recording, selectivelyfrom the microphone and telephone oscillation sources M and T, thehandpiece will normally be mounted on its support and the hand control9i will be in stop condition; as a result motor III will be ininoperative condition and clutch II will be disengaged. To automaticallyrender the system mechanically op erative as an incident of selectivelyconnecting the oscillation sources M and T into the system it isnecessary both to connect line conductor Ha to power supplyline H and toclose the start electromagnet IS with lineconductor 12a. The automaticconnecting of line conductor Ha to power supply line Ii and of. startelectromagnet I5 to line conductor 12a are respectively effected byswitchsets 32 and 30 of control station C. The outer switch elements 32aand 32b of set 32 of conductor .91- through cable 40 to power supplyline H, and the intermediate element 32b of this set is connecteddirectly through cable 40 to line conductor Ila; the outer switchelements 30a and 30b of set 30 arev provided with a common connection,by way of conductor 99 of cable 40, to conductor 89, the conductorleading from the start electromagnet i5, and intermediate switch element300 of set 30 is connected by conductor 96 aforementioned to lineconductor 12a. The outer switch elements of sets 30 and 32 are out ofcontact with their respective intermediate elements when control stationC is in dictation position, but these outer switch elements make contactwith their respective intermediate mem bers bothto start the motor andto place the clutch-actuating mechanism H into start condition as thecontrol station C is selectively moved into either of its terminalpositions. Concurrently with this selective positioning of controlstation C, switch set 3i is opened to disconnect pole Sla of thedictation hand control ill from line conductor 120; this renders thehand control ineffective, thereby preventing the operator fromaccidentally disengaging the clutch ll by the hand control while thesystem is recording from sources M or T.

When the control station C is returned to dictation position switch set32 is opened to stop the motor but clutch-actuating mechanism It is leftin start condition. This leaving of mecha-,

nism It in start condition is advantageous in that it eliminates uselessoperation of the mechanism and clutch should the system be next employedfor recording again from either the microphone or telephone oscillationsources M or T. The clutch-actuating mechanism is however automaticallyreturned to stop condition and the clutch thereby disengaged preliminaryto the next dictation-recording operation since, as the operator removesthe dictation handpiece from its support (while the hand control Si isin stop position), the switch will be closed to complete the circuitthrough the stop electromagnet.

As heretofore noted, in the course of recording dictation the system isat times shifted into reproducing condition to permit the reproductionof portions of previously recorded matter;

it is thus important that the'recording and re-' phone oscillationsources.

producing conditions of the system be positively indicated in order towarn the operator against accidentally misoperating the system as, forexample, against attempting to record while the system is in reproducing(or neutral) condition. The warning means may comprise any suitablesignal which is diiferentiated as between recording and reproducing (orneutral) conditions of the system. Such a signal is preferably in theform of a lamp llll located on the handpiece 23 for ready visibilityduring recording. The lamp derives its voltage from across a resistorIUI' serially included in the line conductor 12a to the amplifier.connection from one side of this resistor to the lamp .is made by way ofconductor 96, switch set 3| of control station C and conductor 94; andconnection fromthe other side oi. the resistor to the lamp is made by aconductor I02 through cable 4| to the handpiece. This conductor seriallyincludes an interrupter I03 for flashing the lamp. This interrupter,herein diagrammatically shown, may for example be constructed inaccordance with the teachings of my Patent No. 2,228,759, issued June14, 1941 and entitled Phonographs. In this construction the interrupteris operated by the drive means of the system and controlled by theconditioning means of the translating device 4, the interrupter havingan operating connection I04 to the drive means and acontrollingconnection I05 to the guide rod 5-which rod is operativelyconnected to the translating device as heretofore explained. Theseconnections are such that the interrupter may be operated to flash thelamp only when the system is mechanically operative; the differentationin the signalling of the lamp to dis-' tinguish a recording conditionfrom other conditions of the system is preferably one wherein a flashingsignal is produced while the machine is in reproducing and neutralconditions and wherein a steady signal is produced while the machine isin condition for recording.

Inasmuch as the power supply to the lamp llll includes the switch set3|, which is open whenever the control station C is out of dictationposition, the lamp i rendered, inoperative as a warning means when thesystem is conditioned to record from either the microphone or tele- Suchinoperative condition of the lamp serves in a negative way to warn theoperator against attempting to record dictation while the controlstation C is out of dictation position.

In the control station C there are provided signal lamps Hi6 and Ill].Lamp I06 is connected across line conductors 12a and Ma and indicateswhen the system is mechanically operative i. e., whenythe motor Ill isrunning; signal lamp lli'l is connected across line conductors 12a andII and indicates when the amplifier 24 is provided with power or is inon condition.

In Figure 3 there is shown an alternative arrangement-for placing theamplifier in on condition and for rendering power available to theentire phonograph system as an incident of exposing the system foroperation. In this embodiment the phonograph P is movably mounted withina cabinet 18 on tracks 19. The cabinethas a top closure 18a providedwith a front opening 80 which may be closed as desired by a suitablecover (not shown). The top closure 18a is adapted to render thephonograph inaccessible for operation and to provide a substantialclosure of the same when the phonograph is in a rearward or inoperativeposition, as shown. When the phonograph is, however, moved forwardly onits tracks from such rearward position it is rendered accessible foroperation. In the cabinet there is an on-oif switch 8i, which infunction is analogous to the on-oif switch 14, the switch having contactmembers 81a and Bib biased open and respectively connected to conductorsl2 and 12a. When the phonograph P is in rearward or inoperative positionthe switch 8| is maintained open in response to itsbiasing, therebyshutting off the power supply of the entire system, but as thephonograph is moved forwardly into an operative position it impingesagainst an insulating block 32 on contact member 8") to close the switch8| and to thereby restore the power supply to the amplifier andotherwise to render the power supply available to the entire system.

In Figure 4 there is shown a phonographic system in accordance-with myinvention, comprising a plurality of sequentially operable phonographunits. In this plural system the mechanisms of the phonographs propermay each be in all respects similar to that of the phonograph P of thesingle phonographic system hereinbefore described. Whenever suchsimilarity occurs between corresponding elements of the two systems,they are given the same reference characters; however, to distinguishbetween the two phonograph units of the plural system the referencecharacters of one of the units are provided with prime marks.

In this plural system there are again provided three oscillation sourcesof which the microphone and telephone sources M and T, as in rooms R andR respectively, are the same as in the single system; the dictationunit, corresponding to the receiver-microphone unit D of the singlesystem, is now however rearranged to illustrate my in vention inconnection with a different mode of dictation recording. In the instantcase the dictation unit, appearing as H0, is adapted for use at a pointremote from the operator and may for example, be mounted on an ofiicedesk or the like. The unit I I0 is capable of effecting both receiverand microphone functions and may, for example, comprise separate speakerand microphone elements ill and H2. With unit Hi) there is provided afoot-operated start and stop control H3 which corresponds in function tothe above described hand control 9|; this foot control together with thedictation unit H0 comprise a station H4 suitable both fordictationrecording and transcribing purposes.

The microphone element III isconnected by a shielded conductor H5 toouter switch element 34b of switch set 34 of the control station C, thesame as in the case of unit D of the single system; serially included incircuit H5 is an attenuator H6 for controlling the output lever of themicrophone. The oscillation sources M and T again connect to the outerswitch elements 33a and 33b of switch set 33; leading from theintermediate element 330 of switch set 33 is the shielded conductor 42which again comprises a common input to the system for the severaloscillation sources. The input conductor 42, A. V. C. terminals 61 andtranslating device 4 (together with device 4' now connected in parallelwith device 4 by shielded conductor ill) are connected to the amplifierby the switch 43 in the same manner as that in which they are connectedin the single system, these connections being such that the inputconductor 42 is connected to the amplifier input terminal 41, the A. V.0. terminals are shorted, and the translating devices 4 and 4' areconnected in parallel to the amplifier output terminal 30 when theswitch 43 is in a rightward or recording position, and such that thedevices 4 and 4' are connected in parallel to input terminal 4'! of theamplifier through attenuator 60 and the A. V. C. terminals 61 are openwhen the switch 43 is in aleftward or reproducing position. In addition,when switch 43 is in reproducing position the low impedance output II-52of the amplifier is connected to speaker element II2 of the dictationunit IIO by way of pole 55, contact point 55a and conductor 3.

To insure a' proper control as between the phonograph units of a pluralsystem with respect to their recording and reproducing conditions, thephonograph units P and P are interconnected so as to prevent theirrespective translating devices 4 and 4' from being placed in recordingand reproducing conditions at the same time, and in addition the switch43 is mutually controlled by the translating devices 4 and 4' in amanner to cause the switch to occupy recording position whenever one ormore of the several translating devices is in recording condition and tocause the switch to occupy reproducing position whenever one or more ofthe devices is in reproducing condition. To restrict,

the conditioning means of the translating devices so that they will beprevented from being placed into difierent operative conditions at thesame time, the control levers 22 and 22' are suitably splined to therespective guide rods 5 and 5' and the rods are provided with alostmotion connection shown clearly in Figure 5; this lost-motionconnection comprises arms H9 and H3 provided on the ends of the guiderods 5 and 5 respectively, which are interconnected by alink I havingslots I2I and HI at its end portions into which are respectively fittedstuds I22 and I22 secured to arms H9 and H9.

The slots I2I and HI extend longitudinally of the link I20 and are eachequal approximately in length, as is illustrated. in Figure 5, to theangular distance through whicheach stud moves as the respectivetranslating" device is shifted from inoperative to either operativecondition, and vice versa. In Figure 5 the studs appear in the positionsthey occupy when the translating devices are in inoperative condition,the-control levers 22 and 22' being then in their central positions. Thepositions occupied by the studs when the translating devices are inrecording and reproducing conditions, the levers 22 and 22' being thenin their respective terminal positions, are respectively indicated bydash-dot lines I23 and I24 for translating device 4 and by dash-dotlines I23 and I24 for translating device 4. The functioning of thislost-motion connection is such that when one of the devices is in oneoperative condition the other device may be shifted between that sameoperative condition and inoperative condition without disturbing thecondition of the former, but should the latter be shifted to the otheroperative condition it will return the former to inoperative condition;thus both devices are prevented from occupying diiferent operativeconditions at the same time.

The link I20 constitutes in the arrangement Just described, anappropriate operator for the switch 43. To operatively connect the linkto the switch there is provided on the link an L-shaped arm I25 which isinsulatedly and pivotaliy con nected as at I28 to one of the poles ofthe switch-say for example pole 51.

the poles of the switch are held outv of contact with their respectivecontact points, preferably in a mid position, as by means of a pair ofoppositely acting biasing springs I2I. However, upon initially placingone of the several translating devices into condition for recording thelink I20 is moved to place the switch 43 into .its recording positionand upon initially placing one of the several translating devices intocondition for reproducing the switch 43 is moved into reproducingposition. Y

In accordance with the plan of numeralling, herebefore mentioned, thepower supply connections for the plural system, which have the samearrangement and significance as those in the single systemaforedescribed, are giventhesame reference characters as in the singlesystem, in some instances however with prime marks as where thecorresponding elements are of phonograph unit P. The respective switchesin the plural system corresponding to on-ofi switch I4 and motor switchof the single system are considered, purely by way of example, merely asmanually operable toggle switches and are therefore given new referencecharacters I21 and I28 respectively. These switches have however thesame function in the system as the corresponding switches .of the singlesystem; for example, when on-ofi switch I2I is closed amplifier 24 isheating and power is made available to the entire system and when switchI23 is closed in addition to switch I21 both motors I0 and I0 arerendered operative and power is made available to clutch-actuatingmechanisms I4 and I4.

When the system is employed for recording and reproducing dictation,switch I28 serves as the means to start and stop the motors I0 and I0and foot control II3 as the means to control the clutch-actuatingmechanisms I4 and I4. In ia plural system it is normally desired that.but one of the phonographic units be operated at a time; hence there isprovided a selector mechanism I29 of the form of the clutch-actuatingmechanisms I4 and I4, which selectively renders the foot control II3operable to place clutch-actuating mechanisms I4 and I4 into startcondition. It will be seen that the foot control -I I3, like the handoperated control 9| of the single system, comprises a pole 3:: which issuitably biased upwardly into contact with switch member II3b-i. e.,into stop position-and which is movable downwardly to break connectionwith contact member II 3?) and to thereafter make connection with switchmember I I3c-i. e., into start position. Switch member 30 is connectedby conductor I30 to pole I3iI of pivoted armature I32 of the selectormechanism I29. Pole I3I is adapted to alternately make connection withcontact points I33 and I33 which are respectively connected to the startelectromagnets I5 and IS on the sides thereof opposite those associatedwiththe poles I 8 and I8. The connection of contact point I33 toelectromagnet I5 is made by conductor I34 through normally closed switchelements I39 and I 38 of a multiple switch I35 hereinafter described;the connection of contact point I33 to electromagnet I5 is made in thesame way, corresponding elements being; given the same referencecharacters but with prime marks. Pole II3a of foot control H3 isconnected, as whenever control station 0 is in dicta- When bothtranslating devices are in inoperative condition tion osition, to lineconductor 12a, this connection being made by conductor I42 to controlstation C, through control station C by way of switch set 3| and fromcontrol station C to line conductor 12a by way of conductor 96. Thusinasmuch as line conductor 1Ia hasa permanent connection to poles I6 andI8 of the clutchactuating mechanisms, a movement of foot control II3into start position while the clutchactuating mechanisms are in stopcondition will cause the potential across line conductors H0. and 12a tobe applied across whichever start electromagnet is selected by theselector mechanism I29, thereby energizing that electromagnet andengaging the respectively associated clutch.

A release of foot control II3 to stop position is adapted to applypotential of line conductor 12a to both stop electromagnets I6 and I6 soas to cause any or all of the clutch-actuating mechanisms that should bein start condition at the time of suchpotential application to bereturned to stop condition. In a system of sequentially operablephonographs the several clutch-actuating mechanisms must be at timesindependently operable as is hereinafter explained, and thus the stopelectromagnets must be normally dissociated. For this reason theconnection of line conductor 12a to the stop electromagnets is made byway of a normally open double-pole switch I43. This stopping switchcomprises a pair of poles I44 and I44 and a pair of respectivelyassociated contacts I45 and I45 of which the latter are connected byconductor I46 to line conductor 12a. Poles I44 and I44 are insulatedlyinterconnected by a bar I41 and respectively connected by conductors I48and I48 to the stop electromagnets I6 and I6, on the sides thereofopposite those associated with the switch poles I8 and I8. To reduce thenumber of leads between the phonographic units and the foot control II3,switch I43 is provided with an armature I453 and is operated into closedposition by an. electromagnet I56. One side of the electromagnet I50 isconnected by conductor I5I to line conductor Ho, and the other side byconductor I52 to the stop side (i. e., to contact member II3b) of thefoot control. Thus, since the pole II3a of the foot control is connectedto line conductor 12a, as whenever control station C is in dictationposition as aforementioned, the

release of foot control II3 will cause the electromagnet I50 to beenergized and the switch I43 to be closed, thereby placing theclutchactuating mechanisms in stop condition.

In order that each phonograph unit 1? and P will be able toautomatically start the other and subsequently stop itself as anincident of the completion of the traversal of its translating fdeviceacross the record, the phonograph units are respectively provided withthe multiple switches I35 and I35, hereinafter referred to as endswitches, which are actuatedby the movement of the respective carriages3 and 3' through the end portion of their advance travel. These multipleswitches are similar and have each three distinct pairs of contactelements: the switch I35, for example, having in sequence from left toright, a pair of normally open contact points I36 and I31, a pair of'normally closed contact elements I38 and I39 hereinbefore mentioned,and another pair of normally open contact elements I40 and m. Furthertaking switch I35 as an example, contact pairs I36--I39 and I39-- I46are bridged by insulating bars I52 and I53 respectively, so that when arightward movetil ment is applied to contact element I36, as by theimpingement thereon at abutment .96 of carriage 3. contact pair 136-431will first be closed. contact pair I38-I39 will next be opened and thencontact pair I4II--I4I will be closed.

Contact pair l38-I36 is serially connected in Y the circuit of startelectromagnet I5 and is adapted to render clutch-actuating mechanism I4inoperable into start condition so long as switch I35 is retained in anoperated condition; in a similar manner, contact pair I36I39' of switchI35 controls clutch-actuating mechanism I4. Switch contact pair I36I31is serially included in a conductor I54 connected at one end topole-contact 20 of stop electromagnet I6 of clutch-actuating mechanismI4 and at the other end to on end of electromagnet I55 of selectormechanism I29, the other end of this electroma net being connected topole-contact I33 as aforementioned; likewise in phonograph P contactpair I36-I31' is serially included in a circuit which connectspole-contact 20' of clutch-actuating mechanism I4 to one side of theother electromagnet I55 of selector mechanism I29, this electromagnethaving its other side connected to pole contact I33 as aforementioned.Contact pair I4IJ -I4I is connected in parallel with pole I44 andcontact point I of stopping switch I43 by way of conductors I48 and I46;and similarly contact pair I4II--I4I' is connected in parallel with poleI44 and contact point I45 of stop switch I43.

The functioning of the circuits and mechanism.

above described is as follows: When foot control II3 is operated tostart position potential of line conductor 12a is applied to whicheverstart elec- P, carriage 3 nears the end of its rightward travel alongthe record it will impinge against contact element I36 of end switch I35and progressively move con-tact elements I36, I39 and I40 to the right.The initial rightward actuation of end switch I35 causes contactelements I36 and I31 to be connected together and line conductors Na and12a to be thereby closed through electromagnet I of selector mechanismI29, the closed circuit being made by way of pole I8 and pole contact 20of mechanism I4, contact pair I36I31 of switch I35, pole I3I and polecontact I33 of the selector mechanism, contact member H30 and pole II3aof foot control II3 and switch set 3| of control station C.Ele'ctromagnet I55 of the selector mechanism is thus energized and as aresult armature I32 is thrown to the left and pole I3I is moved intocontact with pole contact I33. Should the end switch l35 be inunoperated condition at the time of this shifting of the selectormechanism, start electromagnet I5 of phonograph unit P will beenergized, the circuit from line conductors Hu and 12a through startelectromagnet,

switch I35 induced by the further continuing advance of the carriage 3',contact pair Ill!- lll' of end switch I35 is closed; this causes stopelectromagnet I i of the clutch-actuating mechanism H to be connectedacross lineconductors Ha and 12a, thereby throwing mechanism N into stopcondition and stopping phonograph unit P. If in the conditioning ofphonograph unit P for reoperation the carriage 3' is moved out ofterminal position before carriage 3 nears the end of'its advancetravel,then the movement of carriage 3 through the end portion of its travelwill cause phonograph unit P to be first started and phonograph unit Pto be thereafter stopped. Should carriage 3 be left in terminal positionas carriage 3 nears the end of its travel both phonograph units P and Pcome to a stop condition; upon subsequently returning the carriages 3and 3' and restarting the system unit P will be the one restartedbecause of the shifting of the selector mechanism I29 occasioned by theterminal carriage movement of phonograph unit P-the unit last inoperation.

When the plural phonographlc system is on call to selectively recordfrom the microphone and telephone oscillation sources M and T, onoffswitch I21 will be closed, but switch I28 will be left open and controlstation C will be'left in dictation position. When the need to recordarises control station C will be thrown to connect into the systemwhichever of the oscillation sources M and T is desired; concurrentlywith the selective connecting of the sources M and T into the system ofmotors l and i0 are started and one of the clutches H and Ii, asdetermined by the selector mechanism I29, is engaged to render thesystem mechanically operative. A start condition of the motors iseffected by connecting line conductor Ha to line conductor ll throughswitch set 32 of the control station C and is indicated by lamp I06, thesame as in the single system hereinbefore described. The selectiveengagement of the clutches of the units P and P is eifected byconnecting line conductor 12a to pole "I of the selector mecha-.

nism, this connection being made by conductor 96, switch set andconductor I 30. The lamp I01 serves, as in the single system, toindicate the on condition of the amplifier.

When the system is once started the phonograph units P and P continue tooperate sequentially in the manner above described. When the system isput out of operation, by returning i control station 0 to'dictationposition, the motors Ill and III are stopped but the clutch-actuatingmechanisms remain in whatever conditions they occupy. However, uponsubsequently closing switch I28, as in the conditioning of the systemfor dictation-recording purposes, the clutchactuating mechanisms will bereturned to stop condition, the same as heretofore described inconnection with the single phonograph system.

Although I have herein shown and described my invention in connectionwith certain preferred embodiments it will be understood that theseembodiments are illustrative and not lim- 'itative of my invention asthese embodiments are net manipulatable to expose said phonograph foroperation; control means operatively associated with said manipulatablemeans and causing said amplifier to be rendered operative as an incidentof exposing said phonograph for operation; and means, having operableand inoperable conditions controlled by said control means, forrendering said driving means operative and inoperative.

2. In a phonographlc system including a rotatable record support, adrive motor and means operable to couple said motor with said support:the combination of means for independently controlling said motor andsaid coupling means; and separate control means operable tosimultaneously start said motor and render said coupling meansoperative.

3. A phonographic system for selectively recording oscillations ofdifferent character, comprising control means operable to start and stopthe operation of the system at will, said control means having operableand inoperable conditions; and a unitary control device selectivelyoperable either to connect said system to an oscillation source of onecharacter and place said control means in operable condition, or toconnect said system to an oscillation source of a difierent characterand concurrently place said control means in inoperable condition andsaid system into operation.

. 4. A phonographlc system for selectively recording oscillations from aplurality of oscillation sources comprising start and stop control meansfor placingsaid system into and out ofoperation; means for selectivelyconnecting said sources to said system; and means, operativelyassociated with said connecting means and operated as an incident ofconnecting a predetermined one of said oscillation sources to saidsystem, for placing said system into operation and concurrentlyrendering said start and stop means inoperable.

5. In a. phonographic system adapted for the selective recordation ofoscillations from sources of matter characterized by frequentinterruptions and of matter relatively. continuous: the combination ofinput transmission circuit for said system operatively connected withsaid sources respectively; means for interrupting the operation of thesystem at will; means for selectively connecting said input transmissioncircuits into said system; and means, operatively associated with saidconnecting means and operated upon connecting the system to the saidtransmission input circuit associated with said source of continuousmatter, for rendering said interrupting means inoperative andconcurrently starting the operation of the system.

6. In a phonographlc system adapted for the selective recordation ofoscillations from sources of matter characterized by frequentinterruptions and of matter relatively continuous and comprising a.rotatable record support, a drive motor and engageable clutch forcoupling said drive motor to said record support: the combination ofinput transmission circuits for said system operatively connected withsaid sources respectively; means for controlling said clutch whereby tosuspend the operation of the system at will; means for selectivelyconnecting said input transmission circuits tosaid system; means tostart and stop said motor; and means operatively associated with saidclutch, said start and stop means and said connecting means and operatedas an incident of connecting the system with said source of continuousmatter for both starting said drive motor and engaging said clutchwhereby to adapt the system for continuous operation, and operated as anincident of connecting the system with said source of interrupted matterfor starting said motor without engaging said clutch whereby to adaptthe system for interrupted operation.

'7. In a phonographic system adapted for the selective recordation ofoscillations from-sources of interrupted matter and of relativelycontinuous matter and comprising a rotatable record support, a drivemeans and clutch means for coupling said drive means with said support:the combination of input transmission circuits for said systemoperatively connected with said sources respectively; means forcontrolling said clutch means whereby to suspend the operation of thesystem at will; means for selectively connecting said input transmissioncircuits to said system; and means operatively associated with saidconnecting means for causing both said drive means and clutch means tobe rendered operative and said clutch-controlling means to beconcurrently rendered inoperable upon the connecting of said system tosaid source of continuous matter, whereby to condition the system forcontinuous operation.

8. In a phonographic system adapted for the selective recordation ofoscillations from a plurality of oscillation sources and comprising arotatable record support, a drive means and clutch means for couplingsaid drive means to said support: the combination of a plurality ofinput transmission circuits for said system operatively connected withsaid sources respectively; start and stop control means for said drivemeans; means movable into a first position to connect one of said inputcircuits to said system and to concurrently place both said drive meansand clutch means in operative condition, and 'into a second position toconnect anotherone of said input circuits to said system andconcurrently stop said drive means; and means, automatically renderedeffective in response to a placing of said start and stop control meansinto start position subsequent to a moving of said connecting means tosaid secondposition, for placing said clutch means in inoperativecondition.

9. In a phonographic system adapted for the tions and including arotatable record support, driving means and controllable means forcoupling said driving means with said record support: the combination ofa handpiece for dictation recording comprising a dictation-microphoneand a hand control for said coupling means; start and stop control meansfor said driving means; a conversation-microphone; and a control stationselectively operable either to connect said dictation-microphone intosaid system and concurrently render efiective said hand control, or toconnect said conversation-microphone into said system and concurrentlyplace said conselective recordation of dictation or of conversatrolmeans into start position and render said coupling means operative.

10. In a phonographic system including a rotatable record support, adrive motor, and controllable means for coupling said motor with saidsupport: the combination of a handpiece for dictation recordingcomprising a receiver-microphone -and a hand control ior said couplingmeans; a support for holding said handpiece duringnon-use of the latter;means associated with said support for starting and stopping said motorupon removing the handpiece from and placing the same on said support; atransmission input circuit for said system; and a control arrangementfor said system comprising control means movable into neutral positionto operatively connect said receiver-microphone and said hand controlinto said system and movable out of said neutral position to connectsaid transmission input circuit into said system and concurrently startsaid motor and render said coupling mean operative, said controlarrangement being adapted to stop said motor upon the return of saidcontrol means to neutral position, and said starting and stopping meansbeing connected into said control arrangement to cause said couplingmeans to be restored to inoperative condition upon the removal of thehandpiece from its support subsequent to the return of said controlmeans to neutral position.

11. In a phonographic system adapted for the selective recordation ofdictation and of con versations: the combination of a handpiece adaptedfor dictation-recording and comprising a receiVer-microphone and acondition-indicating signal means for the system having operable andinoperable conditions; a conversation microphone; and a control stationselectively operable either to operatively connect said dictationmicrophone into said system and concurrently place said signal meansinto operable condition, or to connect said conversation microphone intosaid system and concurrently place said signal means into inoperablecondition.

12. In a recording and reproducing phonographic system lncluding arotatable record support, driving means, controllable means for couplingsaid driving means with said support and an audio input: the combinationof a handpiece for dictation recording comprising a dictationreceiver-microphone, a hand control for said coupling means and signalmeans for indicating recording and reproducing conditions of the system;an input transmission circuit for the system; and a control stationselectively operable to connect said dictation receiver-microphone intosaid audio input and to concurrently render both said hand control andsignal means efiective, or to connect said input transmission circuitinto said audio input and to concurrently render said signal meansinelfective and said driving means and coupling means each operative.

13. In a phonograph including a rotatable record support, a recordrotating means, a hand microphone and an oscillation amplifier; thecombination of a cabinet for said phonograph including a cover openableto expose the phono graph for operation; circuit means operated by theopening of said cover to rendersaid amplifier operative; a support forsaid hand microphone exposed by the opening of said cover; and circuitcontrol means for said motor rendered eiiective incidental to a placingof said amplifier in operative condition and operated to start saidmotor as an incident oi removing said handpiece from said support. I

14. In a phonographic system comprising a plurality of translatingdevices: the combination oi conditioning means for said translatingdevices respectively, each operable to place its respective translatingdevice into inoperative condition and respective operative conditionsfor recording and reproducing; and'means, operatively interconnectingsaid conditioning means, for mutually restricting the conditioning ofsaid devices each by the other, whereby to prevent a plurality of thedevices from occupying diflerent operative conditions at the same time.

15. In a phonographic system comprising a plurality oi translatingdevices: the combination of conditioning means for said translatingdevices respectively, each operable to place its respective translatingdevice into inoperative condition and respective operative conditionsfor recording and reproducing; and means, operatively interconnectingsaid conditioning means and effective while one of said devices is inone of saidoperative conditions, for restricting the range ofconditioning of all other of said devices to said one operativecondition and the inoperative condition.

16. In a phonographic system comprising a plurality of translatingdevices: the combination of a control means for each of said deviceshaving a neutral position rendering the device inoperative and movableinto respective operative positions to condition the device forrecording and reproducing; and means mutually interconnecting saidcontrol means for causing each. of said devices occupying a given one ofsaid operative conditions to be restored to inoperative condition uponplacing any one 01 the devices into the other of said operativeconditions.

l' l. In a phonographic system including a plurality oi translatingdevices: the combination of a control means for each of said deviceshaving a neutral position rendering the device inoperative and movableinto respective operative positions to condition the device forrecording and reproducing; and a lost-motion connection between saidcontrol means permitting independent movement of each of the controlmeans ,i'rom operative to inoperative position and causing all controlmeans occupying one of said operative positions to be restored toinoperative position upon moving any one 01' the control means to theother oi said operative positions.

18. In a phonographic system including a pinrality of translatingdevices each selectively conditionable for recording and reproducing:the combination of conditioning means for said several devicesrespectively; an osc llation-amplifying channel; means for selectivelyconnecting said several translating devices in parallel either to theinput or output of said channel; and means, operatively connecting saidplurality of conditioning means with said connecting means, for causingall oi. said devices to be connected with the output of said channelupon a condi-' tioning of any one of the devices for recording and to beconnected with the input of said channel upon a conditioning of anyoneoi the devices for reproducing.

19. In a phonographic system comprising a plurality of translatingdevices and an oscillation-amplitying channel: the combination ofconditioning means for-said several devices respectively, eachselectively operable to place its respective device either intoinoperative condition conditioning means to prevent said devices fromoccupying diiIerent operative conditions at the same time; and meansassociated with said restricting means for connecting the group oi saiddevices to the output and input of said channel as an incident to theplacement of one of the devices into recording and reproducingconditions respectively.

20. In a phonographic system comprising a plurality of translatingdevices and an oscillation amplifying channel: the combination ofconditioning means for said several devices respectively, eachselectively operable to place its respective device either intoinoperative condition or respective operative conditions for recordingand reproducing; means for selectively connecting said devices eithertothe input or output of said channel; and means, interconnecting saidconditioning means and difl'erentially operated as an incident of aninitial placement of one of said devices into recording and reproducingconditions, for differentially operating said connecting means.

21. In a phonographic system comprising a plurality of translatingdevices and an oscillation amplifying channel: the combination ofconditioning means for said several devices respectively, eachselectively operable to place its respective device either intoinoperative condition or respective operative conditions for recordingand reproducing; means mutually interconnecting said control means forcausing each of said dereproducing.

22. In a phonographic system comprising a plurality of translatingdevices and electroacoustical means adapted to function as a receiverand as a microphone: the combination of conditioning means for saidseveral devices respectively, each selectively operable to place itsrespective device either into inoperative condition or respectiveoperative conditions for recording and reproducing; meansinterconnecting said conditioning means and mutually restricting thesame to prevent the devices from. occupying different operativeconditions at the same time; and means operatively associated with saidrestricting means for causing said devices to be connected with saidelectro-acoustical means with the latter connected to function as amicrophone upon conditioning one of the devices for recording, and forcausing said devices to be connected with said electro-acoustical meanswith the latter connected to function as a receiver upon conditioningone of said devices for reproducing.

23. In a phonographic system comprising a plurality of translatingdevices and electroacoustical means adaptedto function as a receiver andas a microphone: the combination of conditioning means for said severaldevices respectively, each selectively operable to place its respectivedevice either into inoperative condition or respective operativeconditions for recording and reproducing; means for preventing saidseveral devices from simultaneously occupying different operativeconditions, comprising a member biased into a neutral position and movedin different directions out of said neutral position as an incident ofconditioning one of the devices for recording and reproducing; andmeans, controlled by said member, for operatively associating saiddevices with said electro-acoustical means with the latter connected tofunction as a microphone upon conditioning one of the devices forrecording and as a receiver upon conditioning one of the devices forreproducing. I

24. In a phonograph system: the combination of a source of oscillation;a recorder-reproducer; an oscillation amplifier; oscillationtransmitting circuits for said oscillation source and recorderreproducerrespectively; attenuators serially connected in said several circuitsrespectively; switch means associated with said circuits for selectivelyconnecting the outputs of said attenuators with the input of saidamplifier; and a transmitting circuit, serially including a switchoperative- 1y associated with said first mentioned-switch means, fordirectly connecting the output of said amplifier with saidrecorder-reproducer.

25. In a phonographic machine including a drive motor and a clutch forcoupling said motor with the machine: the combination of a handpieceincluding a hand control for said clutch adapted for use in dictationrecording; a support for holding said handpiece during non-use of thelatter; means associated with said support for starting and stoppingsaid motor upon removing the handpiece from and placing the same ontosaid support; an auxiliary control adapted for use in conversationrecording and movable into ;5 6f oscillations of said differentoperative position to start said motor and engage said clutch and intoneutral position to stop said motor; and means coupled to said start andstop means and efiective upon a return of said auxiliary control toneutral position, for causing said clutch to be disengaged as saidhandpiece is removed from said support.

26. In a phonographic machine including a drive motor and a clutch forcoupling said motor to the machine: the combination of a hand pieceadapted for use in dictation recording; a support for holding saidhandpiece during nonuse of the latter; means operable to engage saidclutch; and means to cause said clutch to be disengaged upon a change inposition of said handpiece in relation to said support.

2'7. In a phonographic machine including a drive motor and a clutch forcoupling said motor to the machine: the combination of a handpieceadapted for use in dictation recording; a support onto and from whichsaid handpiece is adapted to be mounted and removed; and means,associated with said handpiece support and operatively coupled with saidclutch, for causing the clutch to be actuated upon a predeterminedchange in position of the handpiece in relation to its support.

28. In a phonographic machine including a drive motor and a clutch forcoupling said motor to the machine: the combination of a first 10.- gageand control placeable into operative position to start said motor andconcurrently engage said clutch whereby to condition the machine forcontinuous operation; a second control operable to disenengage saidclutch whereby to suspend the operation of the machine at will; andmeans associated with said controls to cause said second control to beineffective while said first control is in operative position.

29. In a phonographic system adapted for the selective recordation ofsignal oscillations characterized by frequent interruptions and of thoserelatively continuous: the combination of means for interrupting theoperation of the system at will; means shiftable to selectively connectsaid system to oscillation sources of said different characters; andmeans operatively associated with said connecting means and actuatedupon shifting the same to a predetermined one of its positions, forrendering said interrupting means inoperative and concurrently startingthe operation of said system.

30. In a, phonograph system adapted for the selective recordation ofsignal oscillations characterized by frequent interruptions and of thoserelatively continuous: the combination of means operable into start andstop positions to place said system into and out of operation; means forselectively connecting saidsystem to sources characters; and

means, operatively associating said start-stop means with saidconnecting means, for placing the start-stop means into start positionand into inoperative condition when the system is con- 40 nected to arelatively continuous source and for placing the start-stop means intostop position and. into operative condition when the system is connectedto an interrupted source.

31. In a phonograph system: the combination of a plurality ofoscillation-transmitting networks respectively constituting sources ofrelatively continuous and of interrupted signal; means for connectingsaid networks selectively to said system; a drive for said systemcomprising a motor and a clutch for connecting the motor to the system;and means, operatively associated with said connecting means, forcausing said motor to be put into operation and, said clutch to beengaged when said system is connected to said network source ofrelatively continuous signals and for causing said motor to be put intooperation and said clutch to be disengaged when said system is connectedto said network source of interrupted signals.

ORVILLE M. DUN'NING.

